Mum's £1m mission to open gay hostel in murdered son's name

Michael Causer died after house party attack in 2008

The mum of murdered teenager Michael Causer has spoken of her mission to raise £1m for a homeless hostel.

Marie, 52, from Whiston, whose son was brutally killed five years ago, was touched by the plight of youngsters who said they had run away, rather than tell their parents they were gay, or had been kicked out of the family home because of their sexuality.

Her goal is to fund a hostel that can provide temporary emergency care for gay and lesbian youngsters at risk of being on the street.

Marie, with husband Mike, set up the Michael Causer Foundation after 18-year-old Michael was killed at a house party in 2008.

She said she still can not find it in her heart to forgive those responsible for his death, whom she brands as “evil”.

But she spoke of her determination to do good work and set up the safe house in Merseyside in Michael’s name.

She said: “The money was there initially to help us. At the time of Michael’s death we obviously couldn’t work, we ran our own business and we couldn’t face people or customers. So we quit work, but we didn’t use the money – we lived on what we already had.

“It was when some people contacted me saying they had no where to go that I had the idea. I went on holiday in Torquay and there was a lovely chap there who was gay but he couldn’t come out because his parents were Christians.

“I was with my friend Pauline and said would you like us to tell them and he said ‘No, I’ll just run away, get a train to London’. I just thought how sad.

“Gay people can also have a hard life in hostels because of their sexuality so I decided this is what we should do with the money – fund a safe house where they can be safe if they are thrown out on the street.

“I don’t care if it takes five years or two years or 20 years, it is important to make them safe so they have got a bed and food if their parents are too ignorant to understand that it’s not a disease being gay or lesbian, they were born that way.”

The safe house will be for young people aged 16 - 25 and the Foundation says social services will be involved and other agencies.

Michael’s killer was sentenced on the basis it was not a hate crime, but his family have always believed he died because of his sexuality.

Marie added tearfully: “It’s just a fact that there’s so much hatred towards the likes of Michael. It’s that which drives me because it was so wrong.

“People do not realise children are not born to be hate, it is bred into them. That’s why we do the Pride festival every year. I’m not lesbian or gay but I lead that procession because I was proud of Michael and he was proud of himself.

“When Michael died, people came up to me and said ‘I didn’t know Michael was gay’ – did he have to put a billboard up in the front garden?”

In August, it will be five years since Michael died and the pain of losing him is still as raw as ever for the whole family.

Marie added: “What happened to Michael was pure evil and no, I will never forgive them in my lifetime.

“I miss him so much. I think it’s his personality. He was a strong person and his personality outshone everything. I’ve met people just met Michael and I think if I give up who is going to be there for them?

“We need this house, we need accommodation for them. People say to me ‘if Michael wasn’t gay, would you be doing this?’ I said ‘yes’. Michael used to call the bingo and do events for charity. So, on some level, I’m helping because he would.”

For more details or to make a donation, visit www.michaelcauser foundation.org.uk

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